Hydrant wrench



y 9, 1933- J. w. RICHARDS 1,907,584

HYDRANT WRENCH Filed April 8, 1931 INVENTOR.

2 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE JOHN W. RICEARDS, 0FESSEXVILLE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO NORRIS a. MACKLEM, or BAYcrrY, MICHIGAN HYDRAN'I' WRENCH Application filed April 8,

The prime object of the invention is to provide a hydrant wrench soconstructed that tl e wrench will function only when turned in properdirection, thereby eliminating the possibility of stripping and damagingthe threads of the operating valve stem.

Another object is to provide a hydrant wrench of sturdy, rugged, andpractical construction, which is dependable and positive in itsoperation, and which will not stick at a critical time when hydrantsmust be opened and when a fire occurs.

Another object is to provide a smooth operating balanced wrenchmechanism, the operation of which is similar to an over running clutch.

A further object is to provide a wrench having a special handlearrangement, including spaced apart handles, provided on opposite sidesof the head to permit a pull on one and a push on the other, so that theoperator may readily brace himself when opening a hydrant, the lowerhandle being provided so that when the wrench is reversed, this handlewill be in upright position so that the wrench may be spun.

The above and other objects will appear as the specification progresses,reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which I have shownthe preferred embodiment of mv invention, and in which like referencenumerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawing.

Fig. 1 is an edge view of my hydrant wrench.

2 is a top plan View, a plate being broken away to show the workingparts.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary part sectional plan view illustratingthe hub and locking members.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectio al view of the hub showing theresilient pin adjuster. 7

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicatesa flat head having extensions 6 formed integral therewith, and to whichthe handles 7 are secured in any approved manner, a similar handle 8being secured to the opposite side 1921. Serial No. 528,473.

of oneof said extensions, and for a purpose to be presently described.I,

A centrally disposed opening 9 is provided in the head as shown, and aratchet hub member 10 is mounted therein, plates and 12 respectively,serving to hold said hub in position, said plates being held by screws13 in the usual manner. 1

The ratchet hub 10 is formed as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing,and is provided with a centrally disposed square opening 14, adapted toaccommodate a hydrant cap, or the head of the hydrant operating valvestem.

Spaced apart notches are provided in theouter rim of the ratchet hub,the wall 16 of each notch being bored to receive a hollow cylindricalshell 17, the outer head of which is closed, a coil spring 18 beingmounted in said bore and shell for normally urging said shell outwardly,and into engagement with the vertically disposed ratchet pin 19 which ismounted in each notch, the wall 20 leading outwardly and formingtogether with the head, a gradually narrowing passage or chamber so thatas the wrench is rotated the pins 19 are forced outwardly from the walls16 and are wedged between the wall 20 and the head 10, thereby lockingthe ratchet hub and head together, rotation of the wrench in theopposite direction tending to roll the pin out of driving engagement, sothat the head may rotate around the hub.

It will therefore be obvious that when the wrench is in position shownin Fig. 3 of the drawing, that it will grip and look when rotated in acounter clockwise direction only, and by turning the wrench over so thatthe handle 8 is upright, the pins are again engaged so that a valve stemcap can be rotated in a clockwise direction for tightening, and inasmuchas this operation is comparatively easy the single handle is conduciveto permit the spinning or rapid rotation of the wrench so that theoperation is rapid andeasy.

It will also be understood that the opening 14 can be of any desiredshape, and that the hub can be interchangeable and that if so desiredone handle only can be utilized.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfecteda very simple, practical, and convenient hydrant wrench which can bereadily manufactured and assembled, and which can be readily operated.

What I claim-is A hydrant wrench comprising a head provided withoppositely disposed extensions and having a centrally disposed openingtherein, Vertically disposed handles on the ends of said extensions, adownwardly projecting handle on the opposite side of one of saidextensions, a hub removably mounted in said opening, spaced apartnotches in the rim of the hub and forming a gradually narrowing chamberwith the rim of the opening, a pin mounted in each opening, andresilient means normally urgingsaid pins towards the narrow. end'of thechamber for locking the head and hub together when the wrench is rotatedin a predetermined direction. In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix mysignature.

JOHN W. RICHARDS.

